These chapters begin with Samuel being old, and his two sons, Joel and Abijah were dishonest and they perverted justice, and the people wanted to have a king to lead them instead of Samuel's wicked sons. At first this upset Samuel, but the Lord said to listen to the people, for they were not rejecting Samuel, but God as their king. We learn about how Samuel and Saul met the first time, and how he was anointed by Samuel as the Lord's anointed to lead His inheritance (10:1). Samuel sent Saul home, but he told him of three things that would happen on his way to prove the Lord's calling on him. Then Samuel called all of Israel to Mizpah, and picked a king for them. He started with the tribes, then the clans, and then picked Saul, who was hiding. Samuel said, "Do you see the man the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people!" Then the people declared, "Long live the king!" The first battle Saul won was against the Ammonites who besieged the city of Jabesh Gildead. After that Samuel reaffirmed the kingship of Saul. He reminded the people of the responsibilities of having a king, and then he reminded the people and their king that they were to put away false gods and idols, and they were to fear the Lord and serve Him only. They were also to consider the great things the Lord has done for them. Then this section ends with a warning that if they persist in doing evil, "Both you and your kings will be swept away."
